Definition of 'nag'

Word Frequency

nag

(næg )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense nags , present participle nagging , past tense, past participle nagged

1. verb

If someone nags you, they keep asking you to do something you have not done yet or do not want to do.

[disapproval]

The more Sarah nagged her, the more stubborn Cissie became. [VERB noun]

My girlfriend nagged me to cut my hair. [VERB noun to-infinitive]

She had stopped nagging him about never being home. [VERB noun + about]

...children nagging their parents into buying things. [VERB noun + into]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: scold, harass, badger, pester More Synonyms of nag

A nag is someone who nags.

Aunt Molly is a nag about regular meals. [+ about]

nagging uncountable noun

Her endless nagging drove him away from home.

Synonyms: scolding, complaining, critical, sharp-tongued More Synonyms of nag

2. verb

If something such as a doubt or worry nags at you, or nags you, it keeps worrying you.

He could be wrong about her. The feeling nagged at him. [VERB + at]

...the anxiety that had nagged Amy all through lunch. [VERB noun]

Something was nagging in the back of his mind. [VERB]

Synonyms: worry, trouble, bother, bug [informal] More Synonyms of nag

3. countable noun

People sometimes refer to a horse as a nag.

[informal]

More Synonyms of nag

Word Frequency

nag in British 1

(næɡ )

verbWord forms: nags, nagging or nagged

to scold or annoy constantly

2. (when intr, often foll by at)

to be a constant source of discomfort or worry (to)

toothache nagged him all day

noun

a person, esp a woman, who nags

Derived forms

nagger (ˈnagger)

noun

Word origin of 'nag'

C19: of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish nagga to gnaw, irritate, German nagen

Word Frequency

nag in British 2

(næɡ )

noun

1. often derogatory

a horse

a small riding horse

Word origin of 'nag'

C14: of Germanic origin; related to neigh

Word Frequency

nag in American 1

(næg ; nag)

verb transitiveWord forms: nagged or ˈnagging

to annoy by continual scolding, faultfinding, complaining, urging, etc.

to keep troubling, worrying, etc.

nagged by a thought

verb intransitive

to urge, scold, find fault, etc. constantly

to cause continual discomfort, pain, etc.

a nagging toothache

noun

a person, esp. a woman, who nags

: also ˈnagger

Derived forms

naggingly (ˈnaggingly)

adverb

naggy (ˈnaggy)

adjectiveWord forms: ˈnaggier or ˈnaggiest

Word origin of 'nag'

< Scand (as in Swed nagga, obs. Dan nagge, to nibble, gnaw, nag) < ON gnaga: for IE base see gnaw: for sense development see fret1

Word Frequency

nag in American 2

(næg ; nag)

noun

1. Archaic

a small saddle horse; pony

a horse that is worn-out, old, etc.

3. Slang

a racehorse, esp. an inferior one

Word origin of 'nag'

ME nagge, akin to obs. Du negghe < ?

Example sentences containing 'nag'

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Things still nag away at him from time to time. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But one thing nags away at me. Times, Sunday Times (2016)They are unsubtle gifts bought for lazy loved ones by nagging loved ones. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Yet one question nags him: has he fulfilled his potential? Times, Sunday Times (2016)On the first morning, the seamers were erratic initially and resorted to trying cutters too early instead of nagging away on a steady line and length. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The constant nagging from officials to downsize and be more fuel efficient seems to have (ironically) encouraged motorists to go extra large. The Sun (2017)It was a question that nagged away at them. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Yet it still looks like the nag to back. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Soon that nagging pain in one toe becomes blood poisoning. Christianity Today (2000)Except for this nagging suspicion that it all smells a bit of fish. Times, Sunday Times (2010)Yet there is something really nagging me about this whole thing. The Sun (2008)The unhappiness stemmed from a nagging sense that he could have been so much more. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Parents drive me up the wall with their constant nagging and worrying. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Drug resistance has exploded from nagging concern into potential global catastrophe in the space of a generation. Times, Sunday Times (2016)But there was something nagging at the back of my mind. Times, Sunday Times (2008)And yet there is one nagging point that remains. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Why do we need to constantly be nagged into doing something? Times, Sunday Times (2007)Because there is the old nagging. The Sun (2013)And it nagged away at me. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Too often when the domestic tumult ceases, the nagging anxiety of work kicks back in. Times, Sunday Times (2012)But there is a nagging worry for all Reds fans. The Sun (2008)Fear in old age is terrible: a nagging anxiety that eats away at confidence and wellbeing. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The nagging ankle injury that kept him out for long periods last term came back to haunt him last Friday against Coventry. The Sun (2014)The bills are triple what they'd be if I had an old nag. Times, Sunday Times (2008)And that is why I have a nagging suspicion the Italian will go the way of his predecessors. The Sun (2010)